A CITY of Whittlesea parking inspector has come under fire following allegations of overreach from a local resident who says he was fined while parked in his own family’s driveway.
Local pensioner Rick Tronson, 69, said he was stunned to receive a $122 infringement notice after parking in the driveway of his son’s home in Doreen, where he cares for his five-year-old grandson every Wednesday.
Mr Tronson said he had reversed into the short, steep driveway, typical of many small-lot homes in the area and parked on the flat section to safely load his grandson into his Jeep.
“It appears that in the 10 minutes it took me to enter the house and return to my car with my grandson, Council’s inspectors has driven by and issued the fine,” Mr Tronson said in correspondence seen by The North Central Review.
A neighbour reportedly witnessed the incident and told Mr Tronson that residents in the quiet Doreen street had long complained about a particular parking officer issuing “thousands of dollars” in fines.
“I find it incredulous that anyone would condone residents or their visitors being targeted in their own homes or driveways. It appears small-lot housing has become a profitable side hustle in parking fines for Whittlesea Council,” Mr Tronson said.
Residents have since called for the City of Whittlesea to review and clarify the rules around driveway parking in residential areas.
Mr Tronson said the infringement notice included photographs showing his vehicle parked entirely within the private driveway.
The City of Whittlesea has been contacted for comment.